The African Calendar and Cultural Festivals.pdf - Kara.co.za

3.2 The Microcosmos
5
G
6 7
8
B
E
4 9
A
10
3
11
2
1
12
D
H
C
F
Fig B
4. The Solar Cosmology
The two figures (A and B) make out the macro-microcosmic order consisting of the
following hierarchy of Gods:
• Bull of Heaven
• Four Beasts of Heaven corresponding to the four quarters of the Universe
• The Seven cows of Heaven represented by the seven Pleiades or circumpolar
stars
• The seven bulls of Heaven symbolised by the seven outer planets
The seven Pleiades or circumpolar stars and seven bulls of heaven make out fourteen
rungs of the ladder of heaven which link the Bull of Heaven (i.e. Father of Lights) and
humanity.
The twelve houses of the macrocosmos and twelve houses of the microcosmos
correspond to the twelve hours of the day and twelve hours of the night.
The aforegoing macro-microcosmic structure of the universe is the basis of the African
Calendar described below. There are three African calendars, namely, the Great Year,
the Solar and Lunar years. Each of these Calendars is described below. The subdivisions
of the twelve signs of the Zodiac are used for the computation of time.
ISBN NO: 978-1-920264-17
By Prof. Mathole Motshekga
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